Thomas Daiber

I mentioned in an earlier review about questing for Monkey Gin 47. Thomas Daiber was the first shop I found it for € 36. My friend purchased a bottle and we sampled it later that evening. That tasting led me to my purchasing decision. I want my US friends to try this remarkable gin.
Thomas Daiber also has some interesting spirits I don’t often find. The first one is my true love, Green Chartreuse VEP. They had a bottle for € 106, which is still cheaper than in the US. They also had Ratzepulz, a strong ginger liqueur, which I had never seen before. I almost purchased that. I would definitely come here again searching for regional spirits and more rare ones.

I’ve visited this place once. Exactly once. The guy who owns and runs it, Daiber, sizes you up as you come in to figure out how much you’re worth, and decides on that basis if he likes you (can sell you a lot of over-​priced wine). I do walk by his store fairly often, so I see that the prices are very high for what he’s selling. He does occasionally have interesting items that I haven’t seen at other places in Freiburg, including Quinta do Portal.
I also know, as I am acquainted with an award-​winning local producer of schnapps, that he buys others’ fruit brandies and pours them into bottles with labels bearing his own name. He buys based on the price, which is fine, except that he will switch back and forth depending on who provides a better deal, so you don’t necessarily know what it is you’re buying. And apparently he’s also a real piece of work when you’re dealing with him from the other side of his middleman position.
My suggestion? Skip this place altogether. There are much better stores for wine and schnapps in Freiburg — like Weinbär, Drexler’s, the great little wine store on Talstraße in the Wiehre, and even Karstadt. They all have better prices, a larger selection, and will treat you better. And Weinbär even gives you wines to try on the spot! There’s no reason to waste your time — and your money — at this overpriced trap for tourists.